Automatic safety dispensing mechanism for fluid or pulverulent material

ABSTRACT

This device comprises a distributing duct connected to a discharge pipe through an articulation and having a reference position. The fluid or pulverulent material can flow from a container to a vessel exclusively when this distributing duct is in this reference position corresponding to predetermined relative locations of the container and the vessel.

United States Patent Genoud et al.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR FLUID OR PULVERULENT MATERIAL Inventors: Paul Genoud, Saint GenisLaval;

Eugene Bresson, Lyon, both of France Institut F rancais du Petrole, des Carburants et Lubrifiants, France Filed: Apr. 11, 1973 Appl. No.: 350,206

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 14, 1972 France 72.13343 Int. Cl. B65b 43/42 Field of Search 141/183-191,

[451 May 20, 1975 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2539.055 1/1951 Brooke 141/189 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli [57] ABSTRACT This device comprises a distributing duct connected to a discharge pipe through an articulation and having a reference position. The fluid or pulverulent material can flow from a container to a vessel exclusively when this distributing duct is in this reference position corresponding to predetermined relative locations of the container and the vessel.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 20 m5 SHEET 1 [)F d PATENTEUMMZO ms 3,884,279

SHEET 3 [IF 4 AUTOMATIC SAFETY DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR FLUID OR PULVERULENT MATERIAL The invention relates to a device for transferring a fluid or pulverulent material between two containers having predetermined locations with respect to each other.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to transfer a fluid or pulverulent material between two containers exclusively when the conditions required for this operation are achieved, i.e. when the two containers are substantially in preselected locations with respect to each other.

The invention will be better understood and advantages thereof will be made apparent from the following description of a nonlimitative embodiment thereof illustrated by the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view ofa device according to the invention used for transferring liquid between two containers, having preselected locations which respect to each other.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C diagrammatically illustrate an automatic apparatus making use of the device according to the invention for transferring a liquid material between a container storingthis liquid and a plurality of receivers.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view ofa further aspect of the invention.

In the following, reference will be made more particularly to the use of a device according to the invention for transferring a liquid between two containers, having predetermined locations, fixed with respect to each other. e

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 indicates a liquid, stored in a container 2, a fraction of which has to be transferred to the vessel 3, extending substantially along a vertical line passing through the container 2.

The device according to the invention includes a rigid discharge pipe 4 which is secured to the container 2 and through which the fluid 1 can flow when an obturating device 5 provided from pipe 4 is open.

This obturating device is, for example, an electric valve 5. A duct 6 for distributing the liquid 1 is connected to pipe 4 through a tubular member, more precisely an articulated connecting member 7 through which the liquid 1 can flow from pipe 4 to the distributing duct 6. Due to the articulation 7, the duct 6 can, under the action of an external force applied thereto, take any position in the space.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the displacements of the distributing duct 6 has been limited to displacements in a vertical plane, by means of a guiding path or cam means, constituted by two guiding arms 8 and 9 secured to the pipe 4 and between which the distributing duct 6 can be displaced.

The device comprises means for detecting the posi-' tion of the distributing duct 6.

These means consist for example of a permanent magnet 10, secured to the distributing duct 6 and which cooperates with a magnetic switch 11, carried by the guiding arm 9. i

When the distributing duct 6 is substantially at a place corresponding to the predetermined relative positions of the container 2 and the vessel 3 between which liquid has to be transferred (these positions being substantially in vertical alignment in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1), the magnet 10 actuates the magnetic contact 11. This contact then controls the opening of the electrovalve 5 and the liquid flows from the container 2 to the container 3.

When, under the action of an external force, the distributing duct is displaced substantially from its vertical position, the magnet 10 no longer actuates the magnetic contact 11 and the latter closes the electrovalve 5, thereby interrupting the flow of liquid 1.

FIG. 1 shows a second magnetic switch 12, carried by the guiding arm 8, which can be actuated by a second permanent magnet 13 carried. by the distributing duct 6. By this way, a second position of this distributing duct 6 may be detected so as, for example, to produce an alarm signal.

The articulation 7 may consist of a deformable sleeve, a tubular bellow or a ball-and-socket joint, such as illustrated in FIG. 3. Resilient means, or urging means, such as, for example, a spring, may be provided so that, in the absence of external forces applied to the distributing duct 6, the latter is automatically urged back to its initial position in which liquid can flow through the pipe 4. When this position is vertical, the

own weight ofthe distributing duct 6 may be sufficient to move it back automatically to its initial position, without making use of resilient means. It will also be possible to use an elastically deformable sleeve, for example of elastomeric material, or also a moveable cam provided with a guiding slot in which the distributing duct 6 or an element associated therewith can be in serted.

It will still be possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to use as means for detecting the position of the distributing duct 6, other wellknown devices, such as, for. example, mercury contacts or switches secured to the distributing duct 6 or also optical or pneumatic detection means, etc

nected to the container 2, in which a liquid 1, for example, is stored.

Vessels 3,3 etc are secured under the plate 14, each registering with an aperture of this plate. The upper surface 18 of the plate 14 is at such a distance H from the container 2 that, when the lower end of the distributing duct 6 is in contact with the upper surface 18 of the plate, this distributing duct is inclined with respect to the vertical, so that none of the magnetic contacts 11 and 12 can be actuated through the corresponding magnet. The electrovalve 5 is in its closed position and the liquid 1 cannot be discharged from the container 2 (FIG. 2A).

As the plate 14 rotates, the bevelled end of the distributed duct 6 slides on the upper face 18 of the plate 14 until it reaches one aperture, for example the aperture 16 (FIG. 2B). Just at this instant, the distributing duct 6 is moved back to a substantially vertical position. The magnet 10 then actuates the magnetic contact 1 1 which opens the valve and the liquid flows from the container 2 to the vessel 3.

When the plate rotates again, the distributing duct 6 comes into abutment against the edge of the aperture 16, thereby resulting in an inclination of said distributing duct 6. The magnet 10 no longer actuates the contact 11 and the valve which is set back to its position of closure, thus interrupts the flow of the liquid 1.

The process is then continued as indicated hereinabove.

If one of the apertures has been, purposely or not, obturated so as to place in the aperture 17, for example, a protruding element (e.g. a plug placed as shown in FIG. 2C), this protruding element increases the inclination of the distributing duct 6 with respect to a vertical line permitting the actuation of the contact 12 by the magnet 13, which makes it possible to stop the process and/or produce a sonic or optical alarm, indicating either abnormal operating conditions (such as the presence of a plug obturating the aperture) or the achievement of a desired goal.

What is claimed is:

l. A safety device for transferring a fluid or pulverulent material between a first container and at least one second container, said safety device comprising a discharge pipe for discharging material from a first container, said discharge pipe connected to said first container, obturating means for obturating said discharge pipe and for controlling the flow of material therethrough, a distributing duct for distributing said material to at least a second container when said first and second containers are in a substantially preselected relative location with respect to one another, connecting means for movably connecting said distributing duct to said discharge pipe, said connecting means enabling a relative displacement of said distributing duct with respect to said discharge pipe, detecting means for detecting the position of said distributing duct to automatically control the opening of said obturating means exclusively when said distributing duct is substantially at a predetermined reference position corresponding to said preselected relative locations of said first and second containers, said detecting means effecting control of said obturating means to transfer said material between said first and second containers when said distributing duct is substantially at said reference position and, said detecting means effecting closure of said obturating means when said distributing duct is substantially moved from said reference position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means is an articulated member.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said articulated member is provided with a ball-and-socket joint.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said articulated member is a deformable sleeve.

5. A device according to claim 2, comprising return means for urging said distributing duct to said predetermined reference position in the absence of any external force acting on said distributing duct.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said return means are elastic means.

7. A device according to claim 2, comprising guide means for guiding said distributing duct with respect to said discharge pipe about said articulated member.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said obturating means consists of an electro-valve, said detecting means being formed by two cooperating elements con-' sisting respectively of a permanent magnet and a switch, one of said elements being carried by said distributing duct and the other being adapted to actuate said switch so as to open the electro-valve exclusively when said distributing duct is in said reference position, said switch automatically closing the electro-valve when the distributing duct has been substantially displaced apart from said reference position.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein said obturating means includes an electro-valve, said detecting means including a liquid contact switch carried by said distributing duct, said switch opening the electro-valve exclusively when said distributing duct is in said reference position and closing said electro-valve when said duct has been substantially displaced from said reference position.

10. An apparatus embodying a safety device according to claim 8 for automatically transferring fluid or pulverulent material between said first container to which is secured said discharge pipe and a plurality of containers, said plurality of containers being carried by a moveable support member, and each of said plurality of containers successively being placed into said predetermined relative position with said first container, said distributing duct having a free end portion bearing against the surface of said moveable support member when said distributing duct is in a position substantially different from said reference position, said distributing duct being moved from said reference position by the effect of said articulated member, said moveable support member being provided with apertures registering with said plurality of containers, said distributing duct penetrating successively into each of said apertures during displacement of said moveable support member to return to said reference position wherein the fluid or pulverulent material is transferred from said first container to each of said plurality of containers registering with the aperture into which said distributing duct penetrates, said moveable support member being provided with an abutment for effecting a predetermined displacement of said distributing duct with respect to its reference position upon filling each of said plurality of containers.

11. An apparatus embodying a device according to claim 9, for automatically transferring fluid or pulverulent material between said first container to which is secured said discharge pipe and a plurality of containers, said plurality of containers being carried by a. moveable support member, and each of said plurality of containers successively being placed into said predetermined relative position with said first container, said distributing duct having a free end portion bearing against the surface of said moveable support member when said distributing duct is in a position substantially different from said reference position, said distributing duct being moveable from said reference position by the effect of said articulated member, said moveable support member being provided with apertures registering with said plurality of containers, said distributing duct penetrating successively into each of said apertures during displacement of said moveable support member to return to said reference position wherein the fluid or pulverulent material is transferred from said first container to each of said plurality of containers registering with said aperture into which said distributing duct penetrates, said moveable support member being provided with an abutment for effecting a dicating means includes a magnetic switch for detecting a position of said distributing duct different from said reference position.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said free end portion of said distributing duct has a beveled surface enabling the free end portion to slide on said surface of said moveable support member. 

1. A safety device for transferring a fluid or pulverulent material between a first container and at least one second container, said safety device comprising a discharge pipe for discharging material from a first container, said discharge pipe connected to said first container, obturating means for obturating said discharge pipe and for controlling the flow of material therethrough, a distributing duct for distributing said material to at least a second container when said first and second containers are in a substantially preselected relative location with respect to one another, connecting means for movably connecting said distributing duct to said discharge pipe, said connecting means enabling a relative displacement of said distributing duct with respect to said discharge pipe, detecting means for detecting the position of said distributing duct to automatically control the opening of said obturating means exclusively when said distributing duct is substantially at a predetermined reference position corresponding to said preselected relative locations of said first and second containers, said detecting means effecting control of said obturating means to transfer said material between said first and second containers when said distributing duct is substantially at said reference position and, said detecting means effecting closure of said obturating means when said distributing duct is substantially moved from said reference position.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means is an articulated member.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said articulated member is provided with a ball-and-socket joint.
 4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said articulated member is a deformable sleeve.
 5. A device according to claim 2, comprising return means for urging said distributing duct to said predetermined reference position in the absence of any external force acting on said distributing duct.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said return means are elastic means.
 7. A device according to claim 2, comprising guide means for guiding said distributing duct with respect to said discharge pipe about said articulated member.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said obturating means consists of an electro-valve, said detecting means being formed by two cooperating elements consisting respectively of a permanent magnet and a switch, one of said elements being carried by said distributing duct and the other being adapted to actuate said switch so as to open the electro-valve exclusively when said distributing duct is in said reference position, said switch automatically closing the electro-valve when the distributing duct has been substantially displaced apart from said reference position.
 9. A device according to claim 7, wherein said obturating means includes an electro-valve, said detecting means including a liquid contact switch carried by said distributing duct, said switch opening the electro-valve exclusively when said distributing duct is in said reference position and closing said electro-valve when said duct has been substantially displaced from said reference position.
 10. An apparatus embodying a safety device according to claim 8 for automatically transferring fluid or pulverulent material between said first container to which is secured said discharge pipe and a plurality of containers, said plurality of containers being carried by a moveable support member, and each of said plurality of containers successively being placed into said predEtermined relative position with said first container, said distributing duct having a free end portion bearing against the surface of said moveable support member when said distributing duct is in a position substantially different from said reference position, said distributing duct being moved from said reference position by the effect of said articulated member, said moveable support member being provided with apertures registering with said plurality of containers, said distributing duct penetrating successively into each of said apertures during displacement of said moveable support member to return to said reference position wherein the fluid or pulverulent material is transferred from said first container to each of said plurality of containers registering with the aperture into which said distributing duct penetrates, said moveable support member being provided with an abutment for effecting a predetermined displacement of said distributing duct with respect to its reference position upon filling each of said plurality of containers.
 11. An apparatus embodying a device according to claim 9, for automatically transferring fluid or pulverulent material between said first container to which is secured said discharge pipe and a plurality of containers, said plurality of containers being carried by a moveable support member, and each of said plurality of containers successively being placed into said predetermined relative position with said first container, said distributing duct having a free end portion bearing against the surface of said moveable support member when said distributing duct is in a position substantially different from said reference position, said distributing duct being moveable from said reference position by the effect of said articulated member, said moveable support member being provided with apertures registering with said plurality of containers, said distributing duct penetrating successively into each of said apertures during displacement of said moveable support member to return to said reference position wherein the fluid or pulverulent material is transferred from said first container to each of said plurality of containers registering with said aperture into which said distributing duct penetrates, said moveable support member being provided with an abutment for effecting a predetermined displacement of said distributing duct with respect to its reference position upon filling of each of said plurality of containers.
 12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes indicating means for indicating an alarm when said distributing duct is moved from said reference position.
 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said indicating means includes a magnetic switch for detecting a position of said distributing duct different from said reference position.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said free end portion of said distributing duct has a beveled surface enabling the free end portion to slide on said surface of said moveable support member. 